Bearclaw Valley the wake [m]

"well, we will have to fix that!" merrick crowed, dancing some steps ahead of ulysses a moment. for a split second, he allowed himself to fancy that the man had only moon-eyes for him, and that was why he did not notice. astara would come up soon enough, and she would meet their newcomer for herself.
the flutter of wings against the air seized his attention. lopsided gaze followed the flock of pheasants thoughtfully, noting where they landed in the distance among low snowy shrubs. he glanced to ulysses, questioning for a stalk of the birds.